Pillowcase with detachable and interchangeable parts

ABSTRACT

A pillowcase with detachable and interchangeable parts may include a first segment having a first end, an outer surface, and an interior housing. At least one first fastener may be attached to the first end of the first segment. Padding may be placed in the interior housing of the first segment. A second segment may be removably connected to the first segment by at least one second fastener connecting to the at least one first fastener. The segments may complete the shape of a stuff animal, insects, inanimate objects, or the like.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No.61/773,068, filed Mar. 5, 2013, the contents of which are hereinincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to pillowcases and, more particularly, toa pillowcase with detachable and interchangeable parts.

Stuffed animals get very dirty and often become a health and safetyhazard over time. Children with stuffed animals do not get to usecreativity with their stuffed animals since there is no variety. Theyare also hard to clean and can be cumbersome and difficult to wash withwashing instructions and care directions unclear. Washing machines oftentime ruin the stuffing in the animals. The form of stuffed animals oftentimes results in deformity of the stuffed animal upon washing. Thestuffing may be sewn into the animal's body so upon going through thewashing machine, the stuffing gets deformed, bumpy and warped, ruiningthe look of the stuffed animal and the abandonment by the child.

As can be seen, there is a need for a pillowcase with detachable andinterchangeable parts that may allow for the child to personalize thedevice and to replace a stuffed animal, or the like, with a machinewashable item.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a pillowcase with detachable andinterchangeable parts comprises: a first segment having a first end, anouter surface, and an interior housing, wherein at least one firstfastener is attached to the first end of the first segment; a paddingplaced in the interior housing of the first segment; and a secondsegment removably connected to the first segment by at least one secondfastener connecting to the at least one first fastener.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method for changing outsegments of a plush toy comprises: placing padding within an interiorhousing of a first segment of a pillowcase, wherein the first segmentcomprises a first end, an outer surface, and the interior housing,wherein at least one first fastener is attached to the first end of thefirst segment; removably securing a second segment to the first segmentby at least one second fastener connecting to the at least one firstfastener; detaching the first segment from the second segment; andremovably securing an alternate second segment to the first segment.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdrawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a headof the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention with an alternate head;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention with the alternate head;

FIG. 6 is a section detail view of an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention along line 6-6 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of an alternate embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 12 is a section detail view of an alternate embodiment of thepresent invention along line 12-12 in FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplatedmodes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. Thedescription is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merelyfor the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention,since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a pillowcasewith detachable and interchangeable parts that may include a firstsegment having a first end, an outer surface, and an interior housing.At least one first fastener may be attached to the first end of thefirst segment. Padding may be placed in the interior housing of thefirst segment. A second segment may be removably connected to the firstsegment by at least one second fastener connecting to the at least onefirst fastener. The segments may complete the shape of a stuff animal,insects, inanimate objects, or the like.

The present invention may be placed in the laundry and machine washedwith other fabrics and linens. A plurality of segments may combinetogether to become the present invention which may provide variety forchildren and ease the cleaning process. Some segments may include heads,limbs and bodies of animal figures, mascots, insects, inanimate objectsand the like. The present invention may be parent friendly by beingcompletely washable, and may allow the user a chance to expresscreativity by being able to mix and match segments of the presentinvention.

As is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 12, a pillowcase may include aplurality of segments. In certain embodiments, the plurality of segmentsmay include a first segment 32 and a second segment 34. The firstsegment 32 may include a first end 28, an outer surface 30, and aninterior housing 36. In certain embodiments, the first segment 32 may bein the shape of a body 14 and in certain embodiments, the second segment34 may be in the shape of a head 11. The body 14 and head 11 may be ofan animal, insect, or the like. In certain embodiments, the head 11 maybe a bear head 10, an alligator head 20, a bird head 22, a giraffe head24, and the like. A padding 18 may be placed in the interior housing 36of the first segment 32. At least one fastener may be attached to theplurality of segments. In certain embodiments, the at least one fastenermay include at least one first fastener 38 and at least one secondfastener 12. At least one first fastener 38 may be attached to the firstsegment 32. The at least one first fastener 38 may be attached to thefirst end 28 of the first segment 32, along the side of the outersurface 30 of the first segment 32, or a similar location. The at leastone first fastener 38 may be a hook and loop fastener 16, a series ofmagnets 26, buttons, snaps, clasps, or the like. At least one secondfastener 12 may be attached to the second segment 34. The first segment32 and the second segment 34 may be removably connected by the at leastone first fastener 38 connecting to the at least one second fastener 12.The at least one second fastener 12 may be a hook and loop fastener 16,a series of magnets 26, buttons, snaps, clasps, or the like.

In alternate embodiments, the invention may include a sleeping bag, andmay apply to products geared towards babies and toddlers. In certainembodiments, a plurality of limbs may be removably attached to the outersurface 30 of the first segment 32. The first segment may beinterchangeable. The second segment may be interchangeable. The limbsmay be interchangeable. The plurality of segments may be removed to makecleaning of the pillowcase easier.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates toexemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as setforth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A pillowcase with detachable and interchangeableparts comprising: a plurality of segments having a first end, an outersurface, and an interior housing, wherein at least one fastener isattached to the first end of the first segment, wherein the plurality ofsegments removably connect by at least one fastener; and a paddingplaced in the interior housing of the plurality of segments.
 2. Thepillowcase of claim 1, wherein the plurality of segments comprises afirst segment and a second segment.
 3. A pillowcase with detachable andinterchangeable parts comprising: a first segment having a first end, anouter surface, and an interior housing, wherein at least one firstfastener is attached to the first end of the first segment; a paddingplaced in the interior housing of the first segment; and a secondsegment removably connected to the first segment by at least one secondfastener connecting to the at least one first fastener.
 4. Thepillowcase of claim 3, wherein the first segment is in the shape of abody of an animal.
 5. The pillowcase of claim 4, wherein the secondsegment is in the shape of a head of an animal.
 6. The pillowcase ofclaim 5, further comprising a plurality of limbs removably attached tothe outer surface of the first segment.
 7. A method for changing outsegments of a plush toy comprising: placing padding within an interiorhousing of a first segment of a pillowcase, wherein the first segmentcomprises a first end, an outer surface, and the interior housing,wherein at least one fastener is attached to the first end of the firstsegment; removably securing a second segment to the first segment by atleast one fastener; detaching the first segment from the second segment;and removably securing an alternate second segment to the first segment.8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first segment is in the shape of abody of an animal.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the second segmentis in the shape of a head of an animal.